At Jeddah, Ferrari celebrates its first podium of the season with Charles Leclerc. Within the arms of the Monegasque driver, the SF-25 exhibits a race tempo in step with the front-runners, if not even higher, however nonetheless pays the worth for the difficulties suffered in qualifying. Fred Vasseur units the course, urging the workforce to give attention to Saturday efficiency to start out additional forward on Sunday. The Workforce Principal additionally seems to be forward to subsequent yr, commenting on the most recent proposed modifications to the 2026 rules.
Concentrate on qualifying
“I believe that within the final 35-40 laps of the race we have been quicker than Piastri and Verstappen,” displays Fred Vasseur within the standard post-race press convention. “We struggled extra in qualifying and we have to give attention to that. Once you begin fourth you’re in soiled air, and within the first 5-6 laps you already lose a few seconds. We have to take note of being extra constant all through the weekend. I believe we will have a look at this weekend positively, as a result of in comparison with the earlier one we made a step ahead in race tempo. The rhythm was superb and I believe the potential is there, we simply have to do a greater job.”
Instantly after the race, Charles Leclerc expressed hope that the upcoming improvements in Maranello might assist Ferrari shut the hole to the entrance, however the Workforce Principal has a unique view on the work to be achieved: “It’s not a matter of upgrades. After we are quicker than Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri for 40 laps however are 4 tenths behind in qualifying, it means we have to work on ourselves and do a greater job to start out forward. Once you handle that, the race is completely different and within the first 5-6 laps you achieve 6 or 7 seconds as a substitute of shedding them. For us at present it might have been a totally completely different story. The potential is there, however on Saturday we didn’t put every thing collectively.”
Stability is vital
The French supervisor additionally renews his help for Lewis Hamilton, coming off one other tough weekend: “I’ll help him and beginning tomorrow morning we’ll attempt to discover some options. I’m not fearful. In the event you have a look at what he did in China, within the Bahrain race final week or within the first a part of the second stint right here, the potential is certainly there.” The Frenchman is obvious about what to research: “We have to work on the stability. Each Lewis and we’re learning the stability of his automotive, which is inflicting the tires to work in a nasty vary. However I imagine the potential is there and we’ll attempt to repair the issue.”
“As quickly because the stability isn’t proper, it’s like a series response. It’s not that you simply lose a tenth in a nook since you made a mistake, however you lose one after which one other within the subsequent one. That’s why now we have such massive gaps between the automobiles [of the same team, editor’s note].” For a number of races now, Ferrari has proven vital progress by way of stability, however the efficiency image stays unchanged: “I believe McLaren continues to be a step forward. Even once they make errors, they nonetheless handle to remain within the prime 3. Behind them, although, it’s a relentless mixture of ups and downs.”
Evolving rules
In the meantime, discussions proceed behind the scenes on the 2026 rules. The most recent thought proposes lowering the electrical energy output in races from 350 to 200 kW. “The proposal got here in yesterday and I haven’t had time but to speak about it with the engine division,” feedback Fred Vasseur. “We have to preserve an open thoughts about it, although, as a result of it’s the primary time now we have such a serious regulatory change protecting the engine, aerodynamics, and sporting points. On the assembly on Thursday we’ll need to evaluate every thing. Let’s speak about it, I’m open to it, however we have to keep targeted on what’s greatest for the way forward for System 1, not on who will achieve a small benefit from 250 or 265 kW.”
“In 5 years we’ve utterly modified the engine regulation, bringing electrical energy to 50%. We underestimated the results on weight and automotive efficiency, so we needed to modify the aerodynamics, pondering for instance about low-drag modes. However then there are the sporting rules, which dictate how the engine energy is delivered. We have to keep open and keep away from arguments – that will be the worst situation for System 1.”
“We’ve by no means had such a serious revolution within the final 25-30 years, altering the engine, chassis and sporting regulation . It’s a problem for the groups and for the FIA. For the Federation, it’s additionally onerous to foretell at present what the degrees of aerodynamic load might be when growth begins. Let’s speak about it, however I believe the assembly in Bahrain went fairly effectively, as a result of we had an open dialogue. The issue is that we’re in a contest and that doesn’t assist the system. I hope we will discover a good compromise,” Fred Vasseur concludes after the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
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